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The Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

THE BASICS -- The Atlantic, part of Starwood's Luxury Collection, opened last summer and is the latest sign that Fort Lauderdale is past its days as a destination for spring breakers. (Starwood also is to open a St. Regis and a W there, while Hilton plans a Q Club.) The exterior is a butter yellow and sand white with vaguely Spanish-style arches and flourishes. The lobby is unexpectedly rich and vibrant in dark brown and blue, with a wall of green and orange glass vases in large cubbyholes. Notably, the main restaurant, Trina, is the first foray out of New York for the chef Don Pintabona (of Tribeca Grill), and is a destination in its own right. Information: The Atlantic, 601 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, (954) 567-8020; or www.theatlantichotelfortlauderdale.com.

THE LOCATION -- On A1A, the narrow highway that runs along the beach, a few blocks north of Las Olas Boulevard, the palm-filled avenue loaded with high-end shops and cafes. The beach is just across the road and the fifth-floor pool deck has a great ocean view. THE ROOMS Suite-sized with efficiency galley kitchens (dark cherry cabinets and granite countertops) and large bathrooms. The décor is a slight letdown from the exciting colors of the lobby: caramel- and toffee-toned marble and seagrass-style carpeting. The beds are done up in satiny oatmeal-colored bedspreads, and tall bamboo in floor vases accent the dark wood furniture with stainless steel handles. The closets are well-appointed with satin and wooden hangers, plus waffle-cloth robes and slippers. But the best element is the sliding glass doors to the balcony, which let you fall asleep to the sound of the tumbling surf while the breeze billows out the white curtains.

THE BATHROOMS -- In keeping with the bigger-is-better trend, double doors open to reveal a marble floor, walls and countertops, double sinks, a separate glass-enclosed shower and a deep tub. The tub is slightly too narrow for the best bubble-bath lounging but the marine-derived Gilchrist and Soames Spa Therapy bath line is a nice change from the floral or tropical products at most hotels.

THE CROWD -- People who want to get some sun and a facial but don't need or want a full resort experience. Well-preserved and well-heeled older couples mix with families with teenage children at lunch by the pool, while business people take advantage of the gym's elliptical trainers overlooking the ocean.

AMENITIES -- The check-in starts with a seat on a modern suede sofa, then a lavender "refresher" drink made with verjus (the tart and apple-like juice of unripe green grapes) and sprinkled with lavender flowers. A cool, wet ylang-ylang-scented towel helps wipe away the travails of travel while a staff member takes the credit card to the front desk. The pool deck is set with tables and an open-air bar -- surrounded by tall, mature palms --around a rectangular pool. Only four feet at its deepest, it is more for lounging than for doing laps. Access to the gym, featuring Techno equipment, also on the fifth floor, is included in the $18-a-day resort fee, which also provides unlimited high-speed Internet access. The spa has eight treatment rooms.

ROOM SERVICE -- Breakfast on the balcony was served on time, with crisp white linens and fresh-squeezed orange juice. The newspaper was tucked under the tray, creating an archetypical South Florida morning: sitting in the warm sun, overlooking the palm trees, pool deck and the blue Atlantic.

THE BOTTOM LINE -- The attentive staff still has some kinks to work out -- a wake-up call was 15 minutes late -- but it visibly strives for quality. Doubles run from $269 to $399 and suites $729 to $859. SUNSHINE FLINT